FO2K

Just as the OEM 16 rear S02's have an unusually wide treadwidth, the OEM front RE050's have an unusually narrow treadwidth resulting in some difficulty maintaining the proper stagger when buying tires other than OEM RE050's.

For instance, treadwidths for 215/45/17 (fronts):

RE050 6.7 inches
S03's 8.0 inches
Dunlop SP Maxx 7.6 inches
Dunlop SP9000 7.9 inches
Goodyear GS03 7.1 inches
YOK AVS Sport 7.6 inches
Avon Tech M500 7.9 inches

It is apparent that the OEM front tire was designed with a much narrower tread than most other tires the same size.

This is not true of the rears (245/40/17) however:

RE050 9.0 inches
S03's 9.0 inches
Dunlop SP Maxx 8.8 inches
Dunlop SP9000 8.8 inches
Goodyear GS03 8.3 inches
YOK AVS Sport 8.7 inches
Avon Tech M500 9.0 inches

If some were to put S03's on there AP2. the rear tread width would remain the same, and the front would increase by 1.3 inches! I have to believe that this would significantly affect the handling of the car. If some one wanted to dial in more oversteer, fine. The change in handling may not be what everyone is looking for.

I suggest a sticky similar to the AP1 rear tire sticky for AP2 stagger issues.

cthree

There you go...

FO2K

Thanks.







For those of you w/MY04+ that have tried other than the OEM RE050's, how about some feedback on the tires, sizes, and handling associated with the new rubber.

riceburner503

I was wondering can you run 255/40/17 on the stock ap2 rear wheel?

luisimo

Sweet ! Thank you for doing this. As I am clocking miles on my '05 I am starting to look for tire replacement. I have been reading a lot of threads and I came out with inconclusive info.

For starters, Which is the best tire ? Is a dumb question. The right question should be, Which tire will give me the best ... Traction... Steering... Wear... ?

A lot of the reviews talk about how much tires cost, why will you buy a true sport car to put cheap tires on ? Perhaps they should consider a civic ?

Anyhow, on a AP2 has any one use any of the following tires? What do you think of them ?

Bridgestone Potenza S03
Bridgestone Potenza RE050
Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3
Michelin Pilot Sport

This is a weekend car so traction and steering are the most important thing to consider. Thank you in advance for any feedback

aggie

I happen to have 215-45-17 and 245-40-17 on an '02. My tires are Sumitomo HTR+ all-seasons and the width stagger is only 10%

The 245's water grooves are noticeably wider which hurts more. I'll be moving to a different (but similar) tire that comes in 255 when these rears wear out.

ELAhrens

luisimo-

I recently (1500 miles ago) put a set of Eagle F1's on MY04 and I've three words to best describe them . . ,.

NO MORE BUMPSTEER ! ! !

Apparently the softer sidewall construction of the F1's is the reason for the improved handling. The overall ride is softer - the bumps don't jar you as much as the OEM RE050's but these tires stick every bit as good as the RE050's, maybe better.

I've always extolled the virtues of the RE050's that came on my 04' (they even work in snow). However, I'm totally sold on the F1's now. Keep in mind I usually drive like I just stole the car but I haven't really pushed the F1's too hard yet. I'm still felling for where the limits are.

FO2K

What sizes did you put on?

ELAhrens

I went with the stock 17" sizes. 245/40-17 & 215/45-17

ela

dans2k

anyone????